A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD CLAIM.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 139, 3 July 1919, Page 4

A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD CLAIM.

Judgment Debtor's Sorrows. Racing and Betting. Considerable interest was evinced in and not a little amusement was caused by the evidence given in the case heard before Mr W. G. Kenrick, S.M., in the Morrinsville Magistrate's court on Thursday in which W. and D. Ireland, contractors, of Auckland, (Mr Smith), proceeded against A. E. Pickett, billiard-marker, Waihi, on a judgment summons for the recovery of £l6B lis 4d. It was stated by counsel that in 1906 the plaintiffs, who are related to defendant's wife, built a house for defendant in Morrinsville. On February 20th, 1919, judgment by default for £2OO was given for plaintiffs, and since that date the defendant had paid £SO off the account. Plaintiff now claimed £l5O and costs. Defendant, who was a welldressed man, was sworn in and cross-examined by counsel. Counsel: Are you married?— Yes, unfortunately. Any children? Three, two sons and one daughter. I have been earning £3 per week as a billiard-marker. You sold a house some time ago. How much did you get for it?-£BOO. After paying off mortgages ? Yes. When did you sell ?—June 30th, 1918. What became of the money ? Oh, I don't knew. About £3OO or £4OO went in paying debts. Have you any receipts for the amounts you paid ?—No. I have never handled any. My wife had the handling of all my money since I was 19 when I was married. What did you do with the balance of the £800?—I suppose I must have spent it. What have you now ?—I have nothing. When I went to the bank some time ago I thought I had £l5O or £IOO there, but was a little disappointed to find the balance was only £9. Have you spent money in any other way ?—Yes, I bought a half share in a race-horse, paying £6O. What is the name of the horse ? —Miss Leslie. Where is it ?—At Thames. Who is the trainer?—l don't know.

The Magistrate: You talk as though you were a millionaire. I could understand Mr Carnegie not kuowing the names of those employed by him. Counsel: You went to the Te Aroha races did you not ?—-Yes. , What did you win on the day ? •—Nothing much. I had a win of £23,but that amount went in other bets. You also went to the Paeroa races ? —Yes. Where are you living? —At Waihi. I am really not paid wages. I am paid half the profits of the billiard tables after the expenses have been met. The Magistrate : The question is what has become of this £BOO ? —I am rather ashamed when I think of what has become of that. I went to Hawera and attended several race meetings in other parts of the country. I suppose I lost £l5O to £l6O in races. lam afraid X wasted and squandered it The Magistrate: Have you any documents to show what has become of this £BOO ?—No, Sir. The Magistrate : Your action renders you liable under the bankruptcy law, and if found guilty you could be imprisoned. Defendant: I don't want to go to prison. I started out to have a good time and ended in the hospital.

The Magistrate: The hospital is where many people end who start out to have a good time. Defendant: I didn't think the money was due in the first place. I thought the money had been paid long ago. I worked for them for nothing, and I thought I was being credited with the value of this work and that I was liquidating the debt. Counsel: My instructions are that my clients kept you because you were the husband of their sister.

The Magistrate: If the plaintiffs had pressed you, the money would no doubt have been paid. Counsel: Have you no other means of getting money ? —I have an insurance policy worth £SO. Who is the trainer of your horse? —W. Thompson*.of Wbarepoa. Can you not sell your share in the horse ?—I wouldn't get nearly as much as I paid for it. I still owe more than half of my share in feed. It has eaten its head off. (Laughter.) The horse is lame, has a strained shoulder, or something. The Magistrate: You have given us no particulars of how you spent that £BOO. i

Defendant: £3OO or £4OO went in paying debts. I paid money to anyone who said I owed them money. The Magistrate: I shouldn't have done that. I would have found out first whether I owed them money. Defendant: I have not boen well since the 'flu, and I cannot think too well. The Magistrate: I am afraid you are a man of sorrows. I am inclined to make an order in this case, but I believe the man's statement that he has no money now. I will give him an opportunity of preparing a statement of his expenditure, and will adjourn the case until next court day, July 17th. Plaintiff: I don't think I will be able to do much, but I will try. The Magistrate: You should get an accountant to assist you. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, For Coughs anil Colds, never fails.